RoxanneBB

Mu facility allows it. Most of my coworkers have their own. So do tou have any brands you would recommend? Thank you so much for your input.

Honestly I never see them serviced. The only reason I mentioned it in my post is because I saw in other posts that many nurses attacked the OP about not using their own equipment due to accuracy...etc. I feel the same way you do, hence my post.

I work in LTC. I need advice on a reliable thermometer. I know it is best to use the facility thermometer as those are routinely checked and calibrated but ai want one to have if I suspect a temp and don't want to run down the long hallway to drag the Dynamap just for a temp. Any favorites out there? I also wouldn't mind hearing your input on BP cuffs, PulseOx...etc. Thank you in advance.

Thank you very much for the advice. I see you are a NICU Gal :)... I think I might want NICU, but again, all my favorite areas are specialties that are hard to get into as a new grad. Oh, well. I guess we will see.

So while in the ADN program I had the mentality of "let me get through this and I will worry about getting a job when I know I made it through nursing school". Well, luckily, I am now getting ready to take the NCLEX and I am starting to think about jobs. I have never worked in the medical field and have no experience. Sadly, I couldn't get a job as a PCA while in school (to get a foot in the door) because I had nobody to watch my daughter while I went to work. So now I am trying to figure out how this new job situation will work out for me. So here are some concerns I have: 1. A lot of the Cleveland hospitals hire only BSN's, others want experience, so it only leaves a few choices. How do I compete with the other million new grads? 2. Cleveland Clinic I heard only offers night/day rotating shifts. 3. How does a person make that work? I figured with my hubby being on day shift, I could work nights and be there in the AM to get our daughter on the bus, sleep a few hours, and be there to pick her up fro the bus, then hubby gets home and I go to work. If I have to alternate day/night, it will not work with our life schedule. How does the Clinic expect people to switch their lives around every month or so? 4. Considering the above dilemma, do you guys know what hospitals offer steady night shifts for new grads? Ok, I guess that is enough questions for now. I really hope I get some good suggestions, advice, etc. Thank you in advance for your help.

Yes, you have to go to a specific place. I forgot the name, but it is close to Western campus. You sign up and pay online and give them your info so they can start your background check, then you go to their place for fingerprinting. They stamp your receipt that you print home when you pay, and that stamped receipt you send back to Tri-c Nursing. Word of advice, do everything the same day you receive the info. Don't wait. It could mean the difference between getting in for Fall12 or Spring 13. Good luck.

As far as I know, they have an exact day when they open up the lists to register for classes and clinicals, and on that day it's a mad dash to get your desired days and times. At orientation they give you a huge list of things you still need to submit to them before you can start. Once that stuff is in you look at the available times for clinicals and on the day they open up registration you hope to get the times you wanted.

Oh, thanks, but I already took A&P I & II. I wonder if I can find something like that for Micro or Life span.

You are lucky to have your powerpoints already. My school opens up our Blackboard on the first day of classes, so I cannot get any notes ahead of time. Thanks for your reply. I like to do a study guide in Word so I can study from it, but sometimes I feel like it is taking so long just to make it that I don't have a lot of time to actually study it. LOL I am with you, though, I can't wait to see some of the other answers that will hopefully post soon. RoxanneBB

I have one more semester of co-reqs to finish before I start NS in the Spring. I have been taking 1-2 classes at a time and I have straight A's. I started school in 2010 after more than 15 years break, so I was afraid my brain could not handle too much at once. For Fall i have signed up for Micro, Life Span and Med. Terminology. I know I can handle it, I am just a little scared of having that much more to memorize. I am also anticipating having a heavy load once NS starts, that is also why I took more classes this semester so I can get myself used to the extra work. I need some pointers, ideas, suggestions on how to manage my time better and also how to study more efficiently. Please share your habits, sites, apps, programs, materials.....etc...that help you study better and faster. Thank you so much RoxanneBB

Thank you so much for your article. And to those who posted their experiences/ideas. I am starting the nursing program in the Spring and I am thinking into the future. I can taste it. I can't wait to be a nurse. After reading your article I think I have already decided I will want to work night shift. I am a night owl and even if I have to wake up really early, I cannot get to bed earlier than 2-3 AM. So, I think night shift will be great. When I was younger I used to bartend and I loved going home to bed when everyone was just waking up to go to their morning shifts. I also have a daughter who will be in school by the time I start working, so it will be great to be able to fix breakfast for her and get her ready for school before I go to bed and then be able to have dinner with the family. Yaaayyyy. I can't wait.

I actually have 3 digital files, two study guides and a "cheat sheet" for A & P. If you want them just PM me with your e-mail address.

Do you need study guides? I have two that helped me a lot.

Thanks so much for the info. I guess I will just wait till I start. It makes sense that the books might change till then

Thank you redhead, and congratulations to you as well. I have been on this website on and off for more than two years now, and I am sure it will be a great help now that we are heading into the nursing program. Good luck and I am sure we will see each other on here again.